Holiday itinerary
Slow down to the pace of Italian village life on this unique yoga and watercolour painting holiday. Stay for 6 nights/7 days in the peaceful medieval walled village of Casperia, just 1 hour north of Rome surrounded by fields of sunflowers, distant mountains and tiny farm houses, and combine yoga and painting in watercolour for a holiday with a difference.
Practice yoga each morning in a fun and friendly environment and unwind, relax, and physically, mentally and spiritually recharge during your stay in this magical place.
During the week you and your group will head outdoors to Casperia’s streets, piazzas and beautiful scenic surroundings in and around the town walls, with your painting tutor Giovanna Somai. You’ll learn all about water colour painting from the basics of colour blending to the more complicated techniques of shading, by painting this town so steeped in history. Watercolour painting is taught in a small group to allow maximum attention.
Stay in one of three traditional medieval village houses inside the walls of Casperia just a few minutes’ walk from the yoga retreat. Discover the artist within you during your watercolour painting lessons and relax, restore and revive yourself with yoga classes for a holiday with a difference.
Suitability
- Yoga holidays are suitable for all levels from complete beginners to advanced yogis
- Watercolour painting lessons are suitable for all levels from complete beginners to enthusiastic artists as lessons are in small groups
- Minimum age 16 (if you are under 18 you must be accompanied by an adult)-
- Both yoga and water colouring lessons will be taken in English and Italian
Travelling Solo?
- These yoga and watercolour painting holidays make great singles holidays and singles can share a twin room with 1 other guest of the same gender with a shared bathroom to avoid any single supplements
- If you wish to book a private single room with either a shared bathroom or a private ensuite bathroom, you can do for a small supplement
Yoga And Watercolour Painting Holiday Start Days
- All arrivals are on Thursdays from March to November
- Accommodation is for 6 nights so you check in on Thursday and check out the following Wednesday morning
Extra Nights Accommodation?
- It's possible to stay extra nights subject to availability and you can contact the yoga retreat directly post booking to arrange and book any extra nights
Yoga And Watercolour Painting Holiday Itinerary
The itinerary is for guidance only and is subject to change depending on the group’s needs and wishes but is typically as follows:
- You will have 1.5 hours of yoga practice each morning
- Yoga starts around 8.30am or 9am each morning depending on the time of year
- After your yoga practice, you’ll be served a healthy and delicious breakfast of fresh fruits, cheeses, hams, cereals, breads, yoghurt, fresh coffee, tea and juices and more
- Over breakfast you’ll be given information on what treatments, therapies and activities are planned for the day and have the chance to book these
- All activities and treatments are an extra cost and are paid for locally at the end of your stay
- Twice during the week you’ll head off into the surrounding area of the glorious Sabina Hills to discover and immerse yourself into the idyllic countryside through watercolour
- Please note that the exact timings of your painting lessons will be confirmed on arrival and painting classes are taught in small groups
- Please note that in the unlikely event that the weather is not be suitable for painting outdoors, your lesson will be arranged or suitable arrangements will be arranged to hold the lessons inside
About The Yoga Retreat In Casperia
- The yoga retreat has a purpose built indoor yoga studio with fresh spring water and a bathroom made from an underground cave
- Weather permitting, you can also practice on the outdoor platform surrounded by an oasis of green inside the village walls
- All staff are highly qualified with a wealth of experience, teaching beginners to advanced yogis
About Your Hatha Yoga Teachers
- All of the yoga teachers are required to have undertaken a minimum of 2 years teacher training, there are no teachers that have "fast track" yoga certification so you can rest assured you’ll be taught by professionals with plenty of experience and a passion for yoga
- The yoga classes cover the physical teachings of yoga with emphasis on the spiritual and holistic aspects of the yoga tradition in general
– All teachers base their classes on Hatha yoga, a gentle form of yoga that focuses on form and alignment to bring balance to the body and mind
- Some teachers also bring elements of Iyengar yoga, Chakra yoga, Hatha flow and Dhamma Yoga
Lucy Bremner - host and yoga teacher
- Lucy will be your host during your stay, and if she happens to be away during your week, one of the other lovely staff members will take good care of you instead!
- She has travelled extensively and practiced make types of yoga and healing arts
- Lucy's yoga classes are holistic and grounding, combining elements of Ying and Yang and she is very supportive and encouraging
- Lucy will teach on all weeks where there are no guest teachers
Samantha Migliozzi - 5-11 June & 3-16 July
- Samantha is from the USA and is a certified Vinyasa Hatha yoga teacher
- She specialises in healing through energy work and the body/mind interaction inherent in a yoga practice
- She has 5 years of teaching experience ranging from gentle flows to stronger classes.
Lise Baronet - 12-18 June
- Canadian born Lise Baronet is a certified yoga instructor and therapist through Yoga alliance
- Her gentle and lighthearted approach helps her in her passion of 'bringing yoga to everyone'
Pam Bridges - 19 June-2 July
- Pam teaches holistic Hatha yoga and also has an interest in healing arts and is a certified Reiki healer
Paola Piozzi - 17-23 July
- Paola, from Italy, has been teaching since 2002
- She leads beginners and advanced classes, as well as individual sessions, with a special regard for breathing awareness and inward perception
Steve Shorney - 24 July-13 August
- Steve, from the UK, is the founder of a popular yoga centre and café in Godalming, Surrey UK
- Yoga has occupied his life for about fifteen years and he takes inspiration by blending Tai Chi with more traditional Hatha forms including Yin yoga
Julie Bolitho-Lee - 21 August-3 September
- Originally from the USA but now living in Oxford, Julie has been practicing yoga since 2004
- Her practice began when she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer at the age of nineteen and she realised a disconnect existed between her mind, body and spirit
Julie has a passion for teaching and aims to bring love and offer grace to all of her students
Mckenna Rowe - 4-17 September
- McKenna, from the USA, was certified in Hatha/Kundalini yoga in 2009 and has additional teacher training in Experiential Anatomy and Restorative Yoga with master teacher Judith Lasater
- Her approach to yoga is practical, demonstrating how pranayama, meditation and asana techniques can be applied to successfully manage real-world challenges
Lisa Quish - 18 September-8 October
- Lisa, from Ireland, gained certification in 2007 and completed a 500-hour Yoga Therapy post-graduate qualification in 2012
- As well as Hatha she brings elements of Vinyasa Flow, Iyengar, Shadow and restorative yoga to her classes
Jenny Buchanon - 9-29 October
- Yoga teacher Jenny Buchanan incorporates Iyengar, Flow Yoga and kundalini for a balanced, rigorous yoga experience
- She owns two yoga studios in her hometown in California and is experienced with teaching Yoga to disabled people
About Your Painting Tutor
- Group watercolour painting lessons are with Giovanna Somai; a local artist and interior decorator who speaks English
- Giovanna teaches you in her own unique style and helps you to develop your watercolour paintings during the course of your stay
- Classes are suitable for all levels and Giovanna will adapt the lessons to match your level of experience so that you make the most progress with your painting during your group classes
What Will I Learn?
Yoga
- Yoga practice will be adapted for all levels from complete beginners to advance yogis
- Your yoga classes will be based on Hatha yoga and will cover Asanas (Physical Movements), Pranayama (Breathing practices), Meditation (Stilling and calming of the mind & inner self) and Relaxation (Complete mind, body relaxation)
Watercolour painting
- You will have the opportunity to paint landscapes, buildings in and around Casperia and still life, either focusing on one or many different pieces
- You will learn the basics of perspective, colour mixing, light and shade and how light can affect your work along with other techniques
- The aim of the course is to encourage your creative technique by explaining the fundamentals of painting in watercolour to those who are novices, or for those more advanced artists, by improving your painting technique in watercolour
- You’ll achieve the confidence to continue and develop your skills whatever your level, and take this away with you with your paintbrush tucked behind your ear, hopefully inspired to carry on when you return home
- You'll meet other budding artists in your group who might teach you some next techniques too!
What To Bring
Yoga
- Please bring comfortable clothing which you can move easily in for your yoga practice
- It can be hot in the summer months so please bring clothing that will be suitable for practicing in hot weather, if you are travelling in the height of summer
- Yoga mats are provided
Watercolour Painting
- Sensible clothing that you do not mind getting paint on
- All painting material is provided
- Sun tan lotion for hot weather
- A sunhat is advised
Extra Yoga And Painting Classes
- There are optional extra 1 hour afternoon yoga classes on Friday, Monday and Tuesday afternoon which costs 10 Euros per person
- There is also an optional 2 hour yoga workshop each Saturday afternoon which costs 20 Euros per person
- You can book these optional classes at breakfast each morning after the morning yoga
- If you also would like to deepen your practice with more yoga classes, private one-to-one yoga classes can be booked (prices confirmed upon arrival)
- Additional painting sessions can also be booked and paid for locally
Treatments And Holistic Therapies
- Each morning after breakfast you can book a treatment or holistic therapy from the wide range on offer
- Choose from massages, facials, acupressure hopi candles, reiki, hot stone therapy, reflexology and more
- All treatments are paid for locally and prices range from 30 Euros to 100 Euros per session, depending on your choice of treatment and duration
- There is also a Finnish ‘sweat room’ sauna at the Casa Latini accommodation which guests can use where you can relax and revitalise – The cost of the sauna session is 10 Euros
Optional Activities & Excursions
- During your free time enjoy the hospitality of the picturesque town of Casperia, wander through its myriad of cobbled streets to discover local shops, cafes and stop for a cappuccino and drink in the view
- The retreat also offer a huge range of optional activates and excursions you can choose to join during your stay
- Please note you can only book these activities during your stay, activities are subject to availability and subject to minimum numbers, and prices are for guideline only:
- Horse riding – from 40 Euros
- Guided Sabina mountain walk offered every Sunday – free of charge
- Cycling – from 40 Euros
- Salsa dancing – from 15 Euros
- Watercolour painting – from 70 Euros
- Italian language classes – from 35 Euros per hour
- Creative writing courses (not July & Aug) – from 50 Euros
- Access to the swimming pool – entrance fee of 10 Euros
- Excursions to Orvieto, Assisi, thermal baths, Saint Francis’ hermitage and nature sites can be organised upon arrival – prices range from 6 Euros - 60 Eurosper person
- Full information and pricing for these activities will be provided to you upon arrival at the retreat
Off-Site Swimming Pool
- An open-air private swimming pool is also available exclusively for guests just a 10 minute walk from the yoga retreat or a short cycle ride away
- The swimming pool is set in the Casperia countryside surrounded by olive groves and rolling hills
- The pool is open from May-October and the entrance fee is 10 Euros per person
- Please note the opening of pool depends on the weather before June, therefore it is not always open
Thermal Baths And Springs Excursion
- Guests can enjoy swimming all year round in the thermal baths at Viterbo and also in the hot springs
- You can also visit the wild hot sulphur springs situated in their natural environment in open fields; here you can bathe in the sulphur-rich organic mud used in rehabilitative treatments, beauty masks and wraps
- The thermal baths and the hot springs are quiet, perfect places to relax, unwind and feel the tension, toxins, aches and pains being released from your body, please remember to pack flip-flops and a towel, or towelling dressing gown, for this excursion
- The yoga retreat run an excursion to the sulphur water baths and wild hot springs on Either Fridays or Mondays after your morning yoga and breakfast
- The excursion runs from 12pm to around 5pm
- The cost of the excursion 40 Euros per person
- Included in the 40 Euro price is return transport from the retreat, entrance fee to sulphur water pool and visit to the wild hot springs in the same area
- The journey takes about 50 minutes each way
- If you wish to book this excursion, you can book locally upon arrival to the retreat
About The Accommodation – Village House
- Stay in one of three traditionally furnished medieval village houses used exclusively by the yoga retreat guests
- The houses have breathtaking panoramic views and are in supreme locations in the village of Casperia just a few minutes’ walk from the yoga retreat
- Each house has a small terrace where you can have your meals, read, relax and sunbathe
- Shared bathrooms and kitchens are provided, with facilities that are characteristic of a traditional Italian village house, rather than bang up-to-date
- All rooms share a bathroom, and there are only 2 rooms with private bathrooms which are subject to availability and carry a supplement
- Village House 1 has 4 bedrooms - 1 double and 1 twin share a bathroom, and 2 twin bedrooms have ensuite bathrooms
- Village House 2 has 2 twin bedrooms and 1 double that share 1 bathroom
- Village House 3 has 2 bedrooms (1 double and 1 twin) that share 1 bathroom
- Prices are based on 2 sharing a room (shared bathroom), or solo travellers sharing a twin room (shared bathroom) with 1 other guest of the same gender
- There is an single supplement for solo travellers if you'd prefer a private room with either a shared bathroom or ensuite bathroom
- Please note that bedrooms with private bathrooms cannot be shared and can only be booked for 2 sharing together or for solo travellers paying a compulsory single room supplement
- Accommodation is included for 6 nights / 7 days
- Check in any time after 11am on day 1 and check out by 10am on day 7
Meals
Breakfast
- Breakfast is included each morning and is taken at the lounge-café which is run by local Italians at the yoga retreat
- Breakfast is a buffet style which consists of fresh fruit and vegetable juices and organic produce
- Special diets will be considered with advance notice, but please bear in mind that in a small Italian village, specialist ingredients (dairy/wheat/vegetarian cheese replacements for example) are not readily available
Lunch And Dinner (Extra Cost)
- All other meals are at your own expense and there are plenty of cafes and restaurants in Casperia in which to eat
- Guests usually prepare their own lunches at home, or can take lunch in one of Casperia's restaurants
- Each of accommodation type has a terrace or balcony, so you can enjoy a delicious lunch of Italian food in the sunshine and fresh air
- For dinner, full meals, snacks and pizza are available in local cafés, bars and restaurants and the village shops have a range of local food and drinks for guests who wish to prepare meals at home
- The retreat also organise transport to authentic local Italian restaurants and folklore festivals in neighbouring hilltop villages or the countryside, where delicious traditional specialities of vegetarian or non-vegetarian dishes can be enjoyed
- A small fee (per person) is charged for transport to and from these venues and remember, all our accommodations have fully equipped kitchens for those who want to sample some home cooking at any time
- An optional delicious buffet dinner is provided for all guests on the first evening (Thursday) and last evening of each holiday week (Wednesday)
- The cost is 25 Euros and includes wine, water and dessert (you can book this during your stay, please note the buffet dinner is only run for a minimum of 5 people)
Free Time In Casperia
- During your free time enjoy the hospitality of the picturesque town of Casperia, wander through its myriad of cobbled streets to discover local shops, cafes and stop for a cappuccino and drink in the view
- Your hosts will give you lots of information on what activities are on offer in the local area which include cycling, walking, visits to the thermal baths, hot springs and more
- If you are a keen photographer or painter, the area is guaranteed to inspire your creativity
An Eco-Tourism Organisation
- This yoga retreat is a low profit eco tourism organisation
- They donate part of the cost of your bookings to the local owners who's village houses you'll stay in, as well as the treatment rooms and breakfast lounge
- You'll live within the village of Casperia rather than at a privately owned retreat and the policy helps to sustain the village of Casperia by providing income to the local families and businesses, including the craft shops to farmers the retreat we work with
- Over the past 15 years, the retreat have renovated and used village houses for the yoga holidays, created local employment and worked with the community in order to enhance the village's economy and integrate the concept of eco-tourism into the culture of Sabina
- They have also contributed parts of their profits to support local festivals and functions within the region
Practice yoga surrounded by fields of sunflowers, breathe the crisp mountain air and let your creative juices flow whilst being inspired by the glorious landscapes on this yoga and watercolour painting holiday with a difference.